Observations from Friday's 115-106 victory over the Rockets at the Toyota Center:

Road to ruin? Not this trip. Saturday in Oklahoma City now becomes a huge swing game, as the six-game excursion comes to a close, with the Heat 3-2 so far.

The Heat became the first team to win in Houston since Nov. 27, when the Spurs did it.

With his sixth point in the first quarter, Dwyane Wade (pictured below) reached 1,000 points for the sixth consecutive season, tying Glen Rice's franchise record. No Heat player has more than six 1,000-point seasons.

Friday marked Wade's 416th career game scoring in double figures, tying him with Rice for second place on the franchise's all-time list. Alonzo Mourning holds the franchise record at 442 games.

To Wade's credit, he recognized in the injury absence of Yao Ming, and with the retirement of Dikembe Mutombo, that the Rockets aren't nearly the shot-blocking team they used to be, so he attacked, attacked, attacked.

Those concerns about Wade's right wrist? Uh, forget about 'em. Imagine how good he'd be if his left wrist hurt, as well.

Wade's 10 first-half baskets tied Beasley's high by a Heat player this season.

Quentin Richardson's first-quarter 3-pointer was the 1,000th of his career, making him the 55th player in NBA history to reach that plateau.

Jermaine O'Neal was active on the defensive end and on the boards. When he puts in those types of efforts, he deserves the ball as much as he wants. And this time, he also passed out of the post, such as his third-quarter feed for another Richardson 3-pointer.

Richardson might have been the Heat's best post-up player. He has the same innate ability as Tim Hardaway to make size a non-issue on post-ups.

Rafer Alston put together his best effort since re-joining the team. He doesn't have to be an offensive threat, but when he is, it helps.

The Heat went the entire first quarter without a free throw. Its first trip to the line came when Michael Beasley got there with 9:34 to play in the second period.

Mario Chalmers' second-quarter assault on the rim was the type of play the Heat needs to see more of from the second-year point guard. He has the ability to attack.

When Beasley converted a 3-pointer early in the second period, it was his seventh conversion in his last 10 attempts from beyond the arc.

No issue this time about closing with O'Neal and Udonis Haslem. They deserved the minutes. Haslem had a huge late basket and an even bigger late offensive rebound.

Joel Anthony certainly had his moments early, but Dorell Wright has to know better than to give the ball to the backup center in transition. To Anthony's credit, he managed to get rid of the ball before committing a charge on that first-quarter transition play.

(A heads up, no immediate postgame blog after Saturday's game against the Thunder.)

Comments (293 Comments)

“How does average means 15 worse? The avg. range is generally a clusterfukk.
Worse coaches than Spo
Don Nelson
Del Negro
Mike Woodson
Eddie Jordan”
Haha, well average sure as f*ck doesn’t mean 5th worst out of 30, not even if you eliminate first year guys from the conversation.
Also pretty retarded to say SVG hasn’t proven anything. He’s 223-126 career as a head coach and has gotten past the first round every season he’s finished as a head coach. He’s been to the Finals. He’s 34-23 career in the playoffs.
What the f*ck has Spo proven?

Haha, well average sure as f*ck doesn’t mean 5th worst out of 30, not even if you eliminate first year guys from the conversation.
==========================
well, i took average, as the mean. Around the middle.
an average center would be ranked around 15th wouldnt he?

How does average means 15 worse? The avg. range is generally a clusterfukk.
Worse coaches than Spo
Don Nelson
Del Negro
Mike Woodson
Eddie Jordan
I’m not gonna list interim guys like Vandeweghe or 1st year like Rambis
Posted by: The Watcher (The blog is more divided than team) | January 16, 2010 at 10:30 AM

Posted by: The Watcher (The blog is more divided than team) | January 16, 2010 at 10:30 AM
Posted by: The Watcher (The blog is more divided than
=====================
show me your criteria how mike woodsen, is worse than spo? His teams record have improved each year during his tenure.

Also pretty retarded to say SVG hasn’t proven anything. He’s 223-126 career as a head coach and has gotten past the first round every season he’s finished as a head coach. He’s been to the Finals. He’s 34-23 career in the playoffs.
What the f*ck has Spo proven?
Posted by: josh | January 16, 2010 at 12:33 PM
Ask Mike Brown and Doc Rivers

What the f*ck has Spo proven?
Posted by: josh | January 16, 2010 at 12:33 PM
Ask Mike Brown and Doc Rivers
Posted by: The Watcher
========================
No, he was asking you. Why arent you answering as to what spo has shown, and why is he a better coach than mike woodsen?

Worse coaches than Spo
Don Nelson
Del Negro
Mike Woodson
Eddie Jordan”
Haha, well average sure as f*ck doesn’t mean 5th worst out of 30, not even if you eliminate first year guys from the conversation.
Also pretty retarded to say SVG hasn’t proven anything. He’s 223-126 career as a head coach and has gotten past the first round every season he’s finished as a head coach. He’s been to the Finals. He’s 34-23 career in the playoffs.
What the f*ck has Spo proven?
Posted by: josh | January 16, 2010 at 12:33 PM
I agree with these, I think Flip is a joke too.

Will, who would you take today, Dirk or Beas?
Posted by: 9/11 was an inside job | January 16, 2010 at 11:44 AM
Ok so now we’re changing subjects again… you said that the only player that supposed to be a PF and plays and runs like a SF is Beas I gave you mad examples of other players that do the same thing. Now you want to compare the body of work of a 32 year old 11 year NBA vet vs a 1 1/2 year old rookie. HMMMMM ok.. I used the example of Beas N Dirk cuz you said that Beas will never be like Dirk. Well according to what your saying you would have traded Dirk for just about anyone too cuz Dirk only avg 8 ppg his rookie season.

I agree with these, I think Flip is a joke too.
Posted by: Ohshz | January 16, 2010 at 12:43 PM
======================
please explain then, how mike woodsen, is worse than spo, when each year woodsens team has improved their record? woodsen took over a completely joke of a team, nothing short of a d- league squad, and each year the record has gotten better, to where they are now a top 3 team , in the EC at the moment.

SVG has has a much better Team of PLAYERS than Spo. Wasn’t Larry Brown a great coach too? What about Lawrence, the “great” young coach: FIRED. What happened to pat Riley and Phil Jackson right after Shaq left them? Mediocre records. They sucked. Bad players, period. Tito Willipino could coach the Lakers or Boston and they would still have great records.

Pardon me if I don’t feel like nit picking between average coaches.
The better coaches imo
Jackson
Flip
Sloan
Pop
Westphal
Adelman
Brown
If y’all want to go about arguing the middle go ahead
Posted by: The Watcher (The blog is more divided than team) | January 16, 2010 at 12:45 PM
Adelman?

please explain then, how mike woodsen, is worse than spo, when each year woodsens team has improved their record? woodsen took over a completely joke of a team, nothing short of a d- league squad, and each year the record has gotten better, to where they are now a top 3 team , in the EC at the moment.
Posted by: doctorb | January 16, 2010 at 12:45 PM
I think Woodson is as enimic if not more than Spo. He allows Lebron to coach, its Lebron or nothing in the 4th quarter. He hasn’t implemented Shaq right. Im not sure if he has the players respect. He typically gets outcoached in the 4th quarter. Hasn’t made the neccessary adjusments in the playoffs.

Mellow on the “Spo sucks, Beasley needs more minutes” stuff, guys. The Heat just had two of their best games of the season! You *are* Heat fans, right? I wanted Beasley to get some more play too, but whatever.
Posted by: dmt | Saturday, January 16, 2010 at 07:07 AM
You are missing the bigger picture. Yeah I’m glad the Heat won, but this was a pyrrhic victory. Remember what happened last year? Beasley barely got playing time and came off the bench, and then Sporon all of a sudden decides to start him in the playoffs, at SF!? (by the way the Spotard also inexplicably started James Jones who had been rotting on the bench and was coming off injury). Really? You play an 82 game season and change 2 of your starters for the playoffs?
Beasley is our second best player. He is supposed to be our power forward of the future. We tanked a season, worst record in the NBA (I still have scars from that year, what a nightmare) to get Beaz. For what?? So we could play Haslem like he is our power forward of the future?? Udonis is a free agent next year and most experts think we will not be able to afford him. If we sign Bosh or Amare, why would we want Haslem? Beasley is under his rookie contract for two more years. Michael is our starter but that is just for show. Sporon does not trust the kid one bit. He does not instill any confidence or give him a real chance to succed and finish games and develop as the star he will be. Udonis is a solid player but he has a low ceiling. Beasley could be one of the best offensive players in the league, no doubt about it. Beaz has taken a lot of shots from the media and fans and overcome his substance abuse problems to have a good season. He has improved his game and his D is coming along, much better than last year. Remember the Beasly put back for the win against Orlando? That was great. Do you think Udonis could have done that? Absolutely not. The only reason Beaz was in the game was because JJ had fouled out. Still Beasley does not get rewarded for that. Who in their right mind puts Haslem or JJ in a game when you need a score and have Michel Beasley????
Spo is sending a message that the Heat does not need Beasley. Who do you play at the end of games? Your best players, the ones who give you the best chance to win. Spotard’s offense in the 4th quarter is simple. Give it to Wade. This has many Heat fans angry as they would like something more than a one dimensional approach. Why? Beacause in the playoffs teams double and triple team Wade and then what will Sporon and his deer in the headlights approach do? If a player starts he should finish. The Heat bend over backwards for Haslem, I like the guy but we are shooting ouselves in the foot by taking away Beasley’s development for a guy who may not even be with the team next year. I would not be surprised at all if Spo moves Beaz to SF for the playoffs again. Have you seen Beaz play SF? He sucks at it. He is a PF. At least act like a real coach and do offensive/defensive substitions with Beaz/Udonis at the end of games. Every coach in the league does that, not Sporon…

Here is my reasoning why spo is below average:
1) his subs seem to be without any rhymes or reasons. Often uses offensively challenegd lineups, and then he has to make changes ot such, after the opposing team goes on a 10-2 run. (or similar) Thus his decision to go with such aretarded lineup actually hurt the team. (below average)
2) He hasnt used his personel to their best assets. He is so afraid to close out with beasley, even when stats have shown that when beasley is in the game, the team is better off (in most cases)
3) his subs are routine, like watching a clock; even if a player has a hot hand, if the clock says its time to make a change then thats what happens. Opposing teams (i have read) have laughed at such rotuines) thats below average.
4) his job is to properly prepare his team and create a game plan. Thats been so inconsistent, that even the efoort has beenn inconsistent. He hasnt shown to me that he gets the players respect, as he needs to.
5) closing out a close game? he freezes up.
Im sure josh can come up with more.

I think Woodson is as enimic if not more than Spo. He allows Lebron to coach,
=========================
Thats some trick to allow lebron coach the atlanta hawks. I guess lebron is even better than i thought!
(mike woodsen is the coach of the hawks. Mike brown is the spo of the cavs)

Spo is sending a message that the Heat does not need Beasley. Who do you play at the end of games?”
Pat Riley and Diva Wade have not wanted Beasley at the end of games for almost 2 seasons now. That’s obvious.

SVG has has a much better Team of PLAYERS than Spo. Wasn’t Larry Brown a great coach too? What about Lawrence, the “great” young coach: FIRED. What happened to pat Riley and Phil Jackson right after Shaq left them? Mediocre records. They sucked. Bad players, period. Tito Willipino could coach the Lakers or Boston and they would still have great records.
Posted by: Slledge | January 16, 2010 at 12:48 PM
This is the same argument everyone uses all the time. It has nothing to do with players or talent coaching has to do with running a team. Which means making adjustments, implamenting an offensive and defensive scheme that works for your talent and handling the rotation. As well as developing young players. How well do you think Spo does these things?

sledge.. you also have never said based on your OWN OBSERVATIONS, as to what spo does SPECIFICALLY, that makes you say he is a good coach.
Please tell us what you see with your own eyes? -not what ira says, not what riley says…(riley also said smush parker will be a “great assett” to the team) what is it that you see?
(or do you even watch heat games? seems to me, you do alot of what others say…)

Adainst Green, Collison, and Krstic, I don’t expect beasley to do much except shoot jumpers after jumpers from 20 feet out. Against physical teams, Beasley will surely disappear. Mark my words!
Posted by: williams46 | January 16, 2010 at 11:33 AM
against Carlos Boozer, 20pts; vs Chris Kaman, 20pts; against Amare Staudemire, 21pts; against Josh Smith 22pts and another 21pts; against Tim Duncan 26pts; against Lamarcus Aldridge, 17; against Rashard Lewis, 22; against CHRIS FH&KIN BOSH 28PTS 11 REB and another 21PT game; against Dirk, 16; against Kenyon Martin, 17; against David West, 17;
Ummmm if anything his Beasley’s numbers go up as the competition gets better. And by the way he is on the Heat team. Do you want Beasley to play bad???? Who here ever says they want Haslem to play bad??

Spotard’s offense in the 4th quarter is simple. Give it to Wade. This has many Heat fans angry as they would like something more than a one dimensional approach. Why? Beacause in the playoffs teams double and triple team Wade..
Posted by: SATANLOVES
BRAVO!

Which means making adjustments, implamenting an offensive and defensive scheme that works for your talent and handling the rotation. As well as developing young players. How well do you think Spo does these things?
Posted by: barry | January 16, 2010 at 12:57 PM
======================
I gave out 5 specific examples why spo is below average.
No one has either contradicted my 5, or even showed with example, as to why he is a decent coach.

When you have to resort to name calling and SHOUTING to make a point, then your dialogue with civilized and intelligent individuals is over and so is the case with me.
Your posts exude of ignorance, not of the language but ignorance of BBall which is my only concern here.
The fact that you think that in this blog you might be the only one that lays down 150 smackers to watch a game reminds me of the Jerk that was shouting into Eric Reed’s mike the other night.No consideration for all the other paying customers in the building, that payed their money just the same, to watch the game, not to listen to GIVERISH.
Carlos Arroyo, god bless his sole, will never be in the same level as Skip-To-My-Lou in so far as point guard skills is concerned as a 6+MM contract for Skip VS Arroyo’s stint in europe attests.
Having faith in my team is how I enjoy the Heat. When the Heat is eliminated I loose interest in the PO and start looking into draft choices for the next season.Free Agents is making me anticipate a joyous Summer.
Let’s go Heat!

Here is my reasoning why spo is below average:
1) his subs seem to be without any rhymes or reasons. Often uses offensively challenegd lineups, and then he has to make changes ot such, after the opposing team goes on a 10-2 run. (or similar) Thus his decision to go with such aretarded lineup actually hurt the team. (below average)
2) He hasnt used his personel to their best assets. He is so afraid to close out with beasley, even when stats have shown that when beasley is in the game, the team is better off (in most cases)
3) his subs are routine, like watching a clock; even if a player has a hot hand, if the clock says its time to make a change then thats what happens. Opposing teams (i have read) have laughed at such rotuines) thats below average.
4) his job is to properly prepare his team and create a game plan. Thats been so inconsistent, that even the efoort has beenn inconsistent. He hasnt shown to me that he gets the players respect, as he needs to.
5) closing out a close game? he freezes up.
Im sure josh can come up with more.
Posted by: doctorb
6) The team brings no fire, no passion, no heart to half of their games? Spo is not a motivator (below average).
7) We do not consistently beat bad teams. (below average)

When you have to resort to name calling and SHOUTING to make a point, then your dialogue with civilized and intelligent individuals is over and so is the case with me.
Your posts exude of ignorance,
————————
and who are you talking about?

4) his job is to properly prepare his team and create a game plan. Thats been so inconsistent, that even the efoort has beenn inconsistent. He hasnt shown to me that he gets the players respect, as he needs to.
Posted by: doctorb
6) The team brings no fire, no passion, no heart to half of their games? Spo is not a motivator (below average).
==========================
isnt 6, a subset of 4?

Carlos Arroyo, god bless his sole, will never be in the same level as Skip-To-My-Lou in so far as point guard skills is concerned as a 6+MM contract for Skip VS Arroyo’s stint in europe attests.
Posted by: just saying… | January 16, 2010 at 01:04 PM
Since when does a contract mean a player is better than another? Using that logic JO is the best basketball player in the world…

Doc, I cant give u 5 reasons as why our coach is decent. I can give u 2 things he does moderately well.
1. He has the respect of our BIW (i think)
2. He gets the team to play hard defense for the most part, and ill always take a defensive minded coach over an offensive minded.
Other than that, I cant think of anything, I might be missing some stuff, like he might be good at going over videos after the game
His subs suck
His offensive sets suck
His adjustments suck
His creativity sucks
His motivational techniques are questionable
His lineups suck
etc

Thats some trick to allow lebron coach the atlanta hawks. I guess lebron is even better than i thought!
(mike woodsen is the coach of the hawks. Mike brown is the spo of the cavs)
Posted by: doctorb | January 16, 2010 at 12:54 PM
Good one sarcastic jerk. How about Mike Brown and Mike Woodsen coach the two new NBA teams you made up. What do you call them teams 31 and 32?

6) The team brings no fire, no passion, no heart to half of their games? Spo is not a motivator (below average).
==========================
isnt 6, a subset of 4?
Posted by: doctorb
uhhh, yeah. ok…
4) & 6) Spo NEVER celebrates with his players for a great play. never congratulates them when they come to the bench.

lol, no way can Spo lead a team to the lofty heights of 13 then 26 wins, let’s give Woodson a medal.
gimme a break.
Why is Spo not below average?
1. he still has a cobbled together roster of players who know they likely won’t be back playing together without egos clashing to this point. A roster that on many teams wold implode given the factor of guys chasing contracts.
2. The team is +.500 on the road, which is not easy in this league.
If you believe SVG has us in a better position, great, but why are we only 5 games back on a FAR better Orl squad on paper half way through the season.
The fact is all this sh1t is because of Beasley. Riley decided to field a roster where 2 of the top 5 players are PFs…sh1t happens.

Phil Jackson AND Pat Riley could coach these bunch of mediocre Heat players, plus Popovitch and Laryy Brown as assistant coaches. The Heat would still have a .525 record this season. Until ANY coach gets better PLAYERS at the 1,3,5 positions, and a half-decent bench second unit.

Spo NEVER celebrates with his players for a great play. never congratulates them when they come to the bench.
Posted by: 9/11 was an inside job | January 16, 2010 at 01:11 PM
How do you KNOW?
This soap opera analysis needs to end. It was the same sh1t with the “Wade hates Beasley” crowd.

Certainly not you doc, but please quote me correctly,we don’t want people to get the wrong impression.
“When you have to resort to name calling and SHOUTING to make a point, then your dialogue with civilized and intelligent individuals is over and so is the case with me.
Your posts exude of ignorance, not of the language but ignorance of BBall which is my only concern here.”

Spo has Wade’s respect because as a young player he helped him develop, but that and being a head coach are not the same thing. Ask Beasley if he respects Spo. LMAO What I woudn’t give to smoke a bowl with Beaz and hear what he really thinks… Anyone who doesn’t think Beaz would dump Spo in .5 seconds is crazy.

1. he still has a cobbled together roster of players who know they likely won’t be back playing together without egos clashing to this point.
=======================
we have no idea what goes on in locker rooms.

1. he still has a cobbled together roster of players who know they likely won’t be back playing together without egos clashing to this point.
Give me a break, when people are on their contract year they are on their best behavior. They are supposed to be playing their best to cash in on it. Plus the Wade factor, Spo without Wade is NOTHING.

Is Halsem our third best player? hmmm. I guess so. that’s lame.
Posted by: 9/11 was an inside job | January
=====================
I think the 3rd best player (assuming you meant wade /beasley as the 2 best) is often a coin flip.

Spo NEVER celebrates with his players for a great play. never congratulates them when they come to the bench.
Posted by: 9/11 was an inside job | January 16, 2010 at 01:11 PM
How do you KNOW?
This soap opera analysis needs to end. It was the same sh1t with the “Wade hates Beasley” crowd.
Posted by: The Watcher
what do you mean, how do I know, it’s right there in front of me everygame. what are you talking about, have you ever seen Spo celebrate when his players come to the bench? nope, everytime he gives the same reaction, walks halfway out on the floor and huddles with his coaches. His normal disposition is pissed off. which he should be this season…

my bad on the 32. I stand corrected. 30.
average would still mean around 15. thats the point.
Posted by: doctorb | January 16, 2010 at 01:13 PM
and I listed about 8 I consider better and 5 I consider worst.
It’s pointless to rank the middle imo because there’s not any great disparity.

Which means making adjustments, implamenting an offensive and defensive scheme that works for your talent and handling the rotation. As well as developing young players. How well do you think Spo does these things?
Posted by: barry | January 16, 2010 at 12:57 PM
======================
I gave out 5 specific examples why spo is below average.
No one has either contradicted my 5, or even showed with example, as to why he is a decent coach.
Posted by: doctorb | January 16, 2010 at 01:03 PM
1- The Mavericks game where Dampier got about 20 points all in the paint and Spo never made an adjustment. He had Anthony and Haslem on him because JO was injured yet he never went to Magloire or switched his defense.
2- Just last night Buddinger makes two 3’s with Beasley playing small foward in the 2nd quarter. In the 4th quarter he goes right back to Beasley at SF and Buddinger hits 2 more 3’s.
3- Jackson was on fire in the Bobcats game and Spo kept Q- Rich on him the whole time. Never gave Wright a shot even though he has more speed and length.
4- Against Boston and Phoenix both teams get open looks to tie the game in the final seconds. Nash missed his 3 but Rondo made and easy alley opp lay up.
5- He’s used Haslem to guard Melo and Lebron. It was only a couple minutes on both occasions but you can imagine the train wreck that ensued.

Spo NEVER celebrates with his players for a great play. never congratulates them when they come to the bench.
=======================
i am unsure how important that is when given the barometr of coaching.
Tom Landry (or even Bill belichek) were/are stonefaces, hardly ever shows that kind of stuff, yet they are hall of famers.
One major aspect a quality coach possesses, is the ability to get his team ready and prepared. To have an identity and to get out the most from his players.
Does spo do that?

and I listed about 8 I consider better and 5 I consider worst.
=======================
yeah, but you didnt back it up with any reasons. Anyone can say anything. I can say I have a million dollars. Billy can say he has a 21 year old hottie.
Please explain what you see in spo, that makes him average? makes him around 15th best coach in the NBA?

i am so into next season. Not only will we have 11 new faces, a completely revamped Z(and better) team, but i will bet my house and wife, that spo will NOT be our coach.
Posted by: doctorb | January 16, 2010 at 01:11 PM
Noted. Remember that Spo had just signed an extension last summer.

Can anything be done about Mike Ingliss as the voice of the Heat? He is totally “out of control” on road games, broadcasting an alarmist view of the game and doesn’t provide anything that the average fan doesn’t know. He is exactly like the annoying fan at every game who acts like he is a former All-Pro that has “all the answers”.

IRA WINDERMAN is embarking on his 24th season covering the Miami Heat for the Sun-Sentinel, witnessing more than 1,900 of the team's games (thus the bags under the eyes and hair loss not truly depicted by the accompanying photo). With the help of antacids (during the lean years) and a sense of humor (during the Riley dictatorship), he has been able to remain a courtside fixture at AmericanAirlines Arena, a veteran 12 years older than coach Erik Spoelstra. Only former trainer Ron Culp had attended more Heat games, but, then again, Winderman has yet to tape his first ankle.